Obituary of John J. McGraw

We are heartbroken to announce the loss of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, John McGraw. After a long and well-lived life, he passed away unexpectedly on July 16, 2023.

John was born on June 4, 1940, in Dallas, TX to Joseph and Agnes McGraw (O’Connor). He moved to New York in 1958 to attend college at Fordham University. After graduation from Fordham, John went on to study law at New York University, graduating in 1965. He had a long and successful career as an attorney, rising to the position of General Counsel for Ciba, later serving in the same role at Ciba Specialty Chemicals. He was well-respected and admired in his field. 

He married the love of his life, Marie (Lombard), in 1965. They went on to raise their four children, Bridget (Franklin Velazquez), Kathleen, John, and Patricia McGovern (Patrick), in both Irvington, NY and Armonk, NY. 

At the time of his death, he resided in Armonk, NY. For the past three decades, he also enjoyed hosting family and friends as a summer resident of Milford, CT.

John was a gregarious, social person who loved to talk to anyone and everyone. He always had a story to tell and loved to engage in debates and dialogue. Many dinners stretched into the evening hours with extended conversation and laughter. He also loved to read books on all topics, including history, politics, science and more. He was an avid fan of the opera and entertained us frequently by singing snippets of opera! He was an adventurous traveler and was by no means finished with his adventures at the time of his death.

Above all else, John valued and loved his family. He cherished time with his wife, children, grandchildren and extended family members. He always made himself available to help with any family matters that needed attending to. 

John is survived by his wife and all four of his children. He is also survived by his five fabulous grandchildren, Noah, Sara, Jaina, Shane, and Emilia. His four siblings, Mary Jane, Patricia, Margaret Leahy, and William also survive him. In addition, he was loved dearly by his many nephews and nieces on both the McGraw and Lombard sides of the family. We could not have had a better husband, dad, grandpa, uncle and friend. We will forever miss him and cherish the memories we have. He will live on in our hearts forever.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 19, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Oelker-Cox&Sinatra Funeral Home(262 E. Main Street, Mt. Kisco, NY). A mass of Christian burial will take place on Thursday, July 20, at St. Patrick's Church in Armonk, NY at 11:00 AM. Interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, NY.